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Darren Fullerton (Daily Mirror)

I think it will be another close fight for the title this season between Linfield and Crusaders.

I expect Crusaders will have a point to prove after the way last season ended for them.

I saw the disappointment etched on Stephen Baxter's face when they lost to Ballymena United on the penultimate day of the season, and that will be a massive motivation for them heading into the new campaign.

But it is hard to look past Linfield. They have been the dominant force in the Premiership since the start of the year. Their last domestic defeat was on January 3 against Coleraine.

David Healy has bolstered his squad with some great signings, including Jordan Stewart, Robert Garrett, Andy Mitchell and Josh Robinson.

They have so many options and that could prove the difference in the end.

It will be interesting to see how Cliftonville progress. Under Barry Gray there seems to be a new sense of purpose, and with Joe Gormley back they will have a real potent goal threat.

At the other end of the table I think it could be a challenging season for Carrick Rangers.

Normally you would look at the newly-promoted club as being potential relegation candidates, but I think Warrenpoint Town are capable of staying up.

Matthew Tipton has made some good signings and I think they will have enough.

Carrick have a good young manager in Davy McAlinden and he will be relishing this test, but keeping the club in the top flight will be a big challenge this season.

Jordan Stewart is a big signing for Linfield (Image: Presseye)

Stephen Looney (Sunday World)

I think the race for the title will again be fought out between reigning champions Linfield and runners-up Crusaders, and it could be as close as last season's finale.

I felt Linfield stole a march on the Crues last season with a team built on very strong foundations; Roy Carroll in goal was peerless and a back line of Mark Haughey, Mark Stafford, Jimmy Callacher and Matthew Clarke gave the rest of the team a very strong springboard for success.

Of course Crusaders had injury problems at the back with skipper Colin Coates a loss in particular, and Stephen Baxter has moved to resolve that with the signings of Sean Ward and Mark McChrystal.

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The injuries of Clarke, Callacher and Andrew Waterworth will be a major concern for David Healy, who is on the lookout for another striker, but the Blues should just have enough in the locker to defend their crown, but it should be another cracking race for the title.

At the other end of the Premiership, I have fears for Carrick Rangers, who have a good new manager in the guise of Davy McAlinden, but have lost some of their better performers from last season such as Brian Neeson, Daniel Kelly, Stevie McCullough and Martin Murray.

While McAlinden was able to sign Andrew Mooney and Chris Trussell, rival clubs like Ballinamallard United look to have strengthened by signing Richard Clarke and Ciaran Martyn and newly promoted, spearheaded by Darren Murray in attack, look to have enough about them to stay up comfortably.

Can Joe Gormley turn on the style again with Cliftonville?

Steven Beacom (Freelance sports journalist)

If the 2017/18 season matches the finish to the previous campaign, Irish League fans are in for a treat.

There was as much drama in the run in last term as in your average Game of Thrones episode!

Then Linfield surged to the title in scintillating fashion claiming the glory on a memorable final day. For months before it seemed as though Crusaders would make it three championships in a row.

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I fancy the Blues and Crues will be the chief contenders again this time around. Both have signed well in the summer and an intense rivalry has developed between the clubs.

The game here needs that. Respective managers David Healy and Stephen Baxter have proved themselves winners in the dugout and it will be fascinating to see who ends up on top this time around.

I'm going for Linfield, but the Crues will be a tough nut to crack.

Elsewhere expect the brilliant Joe Gormley to shine in attack for Cliftonville while Ballymena United will continue to move in the right direction under David Jeffrey.

It will be a test for Coleraine to finish in the top three once more while I fancy Gary Hamilton will have his most challenging season yet at Glenavon.

Given the history and stature of the club it's hard to believe that a top six finish for Glentoran would represent a decent season, but that's the reality. Hopefully the Glens will go deep in the cups to bring some cheer to their fans.

Ards and Dungannon Swifts will have enough to stay out of trouble leaving Carrick Rangers, Ballinamallard and Warrenpoint battling to avoid relegation.

Carrick are in most danger of going down. Like at the other end of the table, that particular battle could go down to the wire.

Carrick boss Davy McAlinden is facing a massive challenge this season (Image: Presseye)

Brendan Crossan (Irish News)

I can't see anyone finishing above Linfield this season.

After their Champions League qualifier campaign, I expect the Blues to hit the ground running. A thick layer of confidence will have been stitched to the Linfield players’ backs, quite a number of whom were celebrating their first league winner’s medal last season.

Crusaders will be still hurting from the way in which they conceded their league crown last season, so I see Stephen Baxter’s men pushing their cross-town rivals hard. Every point will be a prisoner from this weekend onwards.

I’m looking forward to see how Barry Gray does with Cliftonville. They’ve been flying in pre-season and with Joe Gormley guaranteeing the Reds goals, they might be in with a shout.

David Jeffrey’s Ballymena United project will be an interesting watch as he has recruited really well this summer. Oran Kearney, in my eyes one of the best managers in the league, will have Coleraine punching above their weight again.